Pet door structure

ABSTRACT

A pet door structure having an open frame to which is swingingly secured a door, the upper edge of the frame comprising an elongated element which is cane shaped in cross-section, the free end of the cane shaped element extending toward the interior of said frame, a first connection means located between the door and the frame adjacent the upper surface of the door permitting such to swing loose in either direction with respect to the frame, a substantially U-shaped border element attached to the elongated element by a second connecting means, the border element to swing only in one direction along with the door and remain in contact with the frame during swinging movement of the door in the opposite direction.

United States Patent [191 Johnson 1 PET DOOR STRUCTURE [76] Inventor:Frances H. Johnson, PO. Box 643,

Northridge, Calif. 91324 [22] Filed: June 9, 1972 21 Appl. NO.Z 261,193

[52] us. c1. 160/354,160/DIG.7 51 lm. c1 E06b 3/80 58 Field of Search..160/DIG.7,,179,180,189,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,758,646 8/1956 Johnson160/354 2,877,840 3/1959 Hurowitz et a1. 49/397 2,717,036 9/1955 Harris160/354 2.755.484 7/1956 Hotz 160/392 2,495,830 l/l950 Wagner 49/397Mar. 19, 1974 Primary ExaminerPeter M. Caun Attorney, Agent, orFirmJessup & Beecher 5 7] ABSTRACT A pet door structure having an openframe to which is swingingly secured a door, the upper edge of the framecomprising an elongated element which is cane shaped in cross-section,the free end of the cane shaped element'extending toward the interior ofsaid frame, a first connection means locatedbe tween the door and theframe adjacent the upper surface of the door permitting such to swingloose in either direction with respect to the frame, a substantiallyU-shaped border element attached to the elongated element by a secondconnecting means, the border element to swing only in one directionalong with the door and remain in contact with the frame during swingingmovement of the door in the opposite direction.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 PET noon STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The field of this invention relates to a door apparatusparticularly adapted for the passage of small animals such as dogs andcats, and more particularly to a door apparatus located within a houseor other human being living structure which gives a relatively smalldomesticated animal indoor or outdoor freedom of movement.

The apparatus of this invention constitutes an improvement upon the petdoor apparatus defined within U.S. Pat. No. 2,758,646, patented Aug. 14,1956, entitled Door Structure by Don D. Johnson.

It is the objective of all pet doors as defined in the foregoing patentto adequately keep out the elements while still permitting the passageof small animals therethrough without human assistance. The doorstructure defined by the above referred to patent and patent applicationsatisfactorily accomplishes the objective of not permitting the elementsto enter the house while also giving the animal freedom of movement.However, the door structure of the previously enumerated patent arenormally configured to be large enough to be used by a medium size orlarge size dog.

Small dogs are reluctant to use the large size pet door apparatus mainlybecause the door is of a size and weight that it makes it difficult forthem to effect opening of the door. Additionally, another disadvantageof such large size doors is that the larger the door opening, the easierunauthorized'access is made to within the dwelling. The doors which aredesigned for especially large animals may be sufficiently large enoughfor a small person or child to gain access to within the dwelling. Evenif the opening itself is not large enough to permit access of theunauthorized person, the person may frequently extend his arm throughthe opening and cause unlocking of a door or window.

It would be desirable to design a pet door structure which would beeasily usable by toy dogs and cats. Additionally, it is desirable toemploy a pet door structure design which readily facilitatesmanufacturing of the structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The structure of this invention is basicallysimilar to the door structure shown and described in the aforesaidpatent. The door structure of this invention employs a frame with theupper surface of the frame being formed into an elongated channel-likestrip which is basically cane shaped in cross-sectional configuration.The open end of the cane is located downwardly or inwardly toward theinterior of the door structure. The door structure includes a door whichincludes a first connecting means located upon the upper edge thereof.The upper edge of the door is to cooperate with the elongated element sothat the first connecting means is retained within the element andnormally prevents removal thereof. The first connecting means is tonormally comprise a plurality of protuberances formed adjacent the upperedge of the door. A border element is to be employed which surrounds thedoor with the ends' of the legs of the U-shaped border element to beconnected by a second connecting means to the elongated element. Thesecond connecting means comprises a each of the legs. The elongatedelement and its connected door and border element are to be locatedwithin a frame. The door and the border element are thereby held inposition and'accidental dislodgment from the frame is prevented.Additionally, the door is free to swing either inwardly or outwardlywith respect to the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front perspective view ofthe apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a partly-in-section view through the structure of thisinvention taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partly-in-section view taken along line 44 ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a view depicting possible removal of the legs of the borderelement from the elongated element during use to prevent injury to theanimal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SHOWN EMBODIMENT Referring particularly tothe drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a structure 10 of this inventionincluding a rectangularly shaped frame 12 which includes a rectangularlyshaped opening 14 therein. The opening 14 is to be of sufficient size soas to readily permit a domesticated small animal such as a toy dog orcat to pass therethrough. It is to be understood that although thestructure 10 of this invention is primarily designed to be employed bymeans of a toy dog or a cat, it is to be considered to be within thescope of this invention to employ the structure for larger sizedanimals.

The frame 12 comprises a lower plate 16 which is fixedly secured to sideplates 18 and 20. An upper plate 22 is also connected between the sideplates 18 and 20. Each of the plates l6, 18, 20 and 22 include a pair ofspaced apart flanges 24 and 26. Frame 12 also includes, fixedtherewithin, a U-shaped jamb consisting of legs 17 and 19 joined at thebottom by a crosspiece 21. Fasteners 28 are to cooperate between theflanges 24 and 26 and are to function to hold the frame 12 within afixed structure. Normally, the fixed structure would constitute theliving quarters for a human being. For example, the frame 12 could besecured within an opening of a wall of a house or apartment, or theframe 12 could be located within a cut-out opening within a door of ahouse or apartment. It is normally desirable that the structure 10 ofthis invention be mounted so as to be spaced a predetermined distancefrom the floor. However, this predetermined distance is to be variabledepending on the size of the animal which is to pass therethrough.

An elongated element 30 is adapted to be secured between the side plates18 and 20 and directly below the upper plate 22. The elongated element30 is to be fixedly secured to the side plates 18 and 20 by means of afastening means (not shown). An elongated element 30 includes a baseplate 32 with a member 34 extending perpendicularly therefrom. Themember 34 is basically U-shaped in configuration with the lower leg ofthe member 34 being removed resulting in the forming of elongatedopening 36. As the result, member 34 assumes a generally cane shapedcross-sectional configuration.

-A door 38 is to be formed of a substantially homogeneous sheet offlexible material such as thick rubber,

natural or synthetic. Flexible plastic material may also be used.Located adjacent the upper edge of the door 38 is a first connectingmeans which comprises a plurality of spaced apart protuberances 40. Theupper edge of the door 38 along with the protuberances 40 are adapted toslide transversely within the elongated element 30 through the opening36. The size of the protuberances 40 are selective so that secureretention of the door 38 within the elongated element results. It is tobe understood that the door 38 is installed prior to the installation ofthe member 30 between the side plates 18 and 20. lntegrally formed uponthe door 38 about its periphery is a flanged area 42. The flanged area42 is substantially less thick than the thickness of the door 38.

A border element 44 is to be employed which is basically U-shaped inconfiguration resulting in the forming of a first leg 46 which issubstantially parallel to the second leg 48 with a connecting element 50being connected therebetween. The border element 44 is also to beconstructed of a material similar to the door 38. Surrounding interiorlyof the border element 44 is a flanged area 52. The flanged area 52 is ofa substantially less thickness than the thickness of the border ele ment44. The flanged area 52 is overlap the flanged area 42 located upon thedoor 38. It is to be understood that the border element 44 is tosurround on three sides the door 38.

Secured directly adjacent the upper edge of each of the legs 46 and 48is a second connecting means. The

second connecting means comprises a protuberance 54 located upon each ofthe legs 46 and 48. These protuberances 54 are basically similar to theprotuberances 40. It is to be understood that there could be more thanone protuberance employed upon each of the legs if desired or theprotuberances upon the legs of the border element could be made of adifferent size than the protuberances 40.

Each of the legs 46 and 48 are to be installed within the elongatedelement 30 after installation of the door 38. It is to be furtherunderstood that upon connecting of the elongated element 30 between thesides 18 and 20, that accidental dislodgment will be prevented bycooperation of the protuberances 54 within the member 34.

While it is envisioned that the protuberances 40 and 54 will be locatedon both the door and the border element, it is considered to be withinthe scope of this invention to have the retaining means of the elongatedelement 30 of the frame to include protuberances 40 and 54 to hold thedoor and the border element in position. In other words, both the doorand the border element will be unmodified with the protuberances 40 and54 or some other type of binding structure located upon the elongatedelement 30.

I It is normally desirable that with the structure in the operativeposition, that the border element 44 be held by a slight force incooperation with the frame 12. This holding action can be readilyaccomplished by the use of a magnet 56 which is embedded within theborder element 44. It is normally envisioned that the frame 12 be madeof a non-magnetic material such as aluminum. Therefore, a strip ofmagnetic material 58 will be located upon the crosspiece 21 forming partof the frame 12 in a position so as to cooperate with the magnet 56 ofthe border element 44 when the door is in a closed position.

Additionally, with the door closed, it is desirable that the door 38 beheld so that the flanged area 42 abuts the flanged area 52. This can bereadily accomplished by locating a magnet 60 within the member 50 of theborder element 44. The magnet 60 is to cooperate with a strip 62 ofmagnetic material which has been embedded within the door 38. althoughmagnets are found to be particularly desirable in creating this slightholding action, it is considered to be within the scope of thisinvention to employ retaining means other than magnets.

The operation of the structure 10 of this invention is as follows: Itwill be assumed that the structure 10 has been mounted in a structuresuch as a wall of a house or a door of a house. For the animal to passthrough the structure 10 from the inside of the house to the outside ofthe house, the animal contacts the door 38 and physically overcomes theforce created by the magnet 56 and causes the door to swing outwardlyalong with the border element 44 permitting the animal to pass throughthe opening 14 and therefore exteriorly of the house. If the animal thenwishes to come within the house, the animal need only to physicallycontact the opposite side of the door 38, over-powering the magnet 60and causing the door to swing inwardly permitting the animal to passthrough the opening 14 to the interior of the house. It is to be notedthat during the inward movement the border 44 is maintained in contactwith the frame 12.

Let it be assumed that in an unusual situation the flanged areas 42 and44 have become disassociated with one another causing the door 38 to bepartially moved on the opposite side of the border element 44. Thissituation can occur if the animal strikes the door 38 in an outwarddirection with substantial force. Let it further be assumed that theanimal has become caught between the lower edge of the door 38 and theconnecting member 50 of the border element 44. Under normalcircumstances, whatever the animal would attempt to do would only tendto make matters worse by increasing the binding force between the door38 and the connecting member 50. The normal reaction for the animal isto run away or to exert a greater force tending to separate the borderelement 44 from the frame 12. lt is envisioned that the size of theprotuberances 54 have been preselected so that upon exerting of thisabnormal force that the border element 44 will be removed from theelongated element 30 (note particularly FIG. 5). As a result, the borderelement 44 is completely removed thereby freeing the animal.Reinstallation of the border element 44 within the elongated member canbe easily effected without a removal of the elongated member 30 from theframe 12. Once the border element has been replaced, it will remain inthis position until such again encounters an abnormal force situation.

The door 38 and the border 44 are permitted to move a slight amountwithin the element 30. This adjustable feature causes the door 38 andborder 44 to be self centering. During use, the door 38 and border 44will assume a non-stressed position permitting the door and border toswing most freely.

What is claimed is:

l. A pet door structure comprising;

a frame having a central opening to permit passage of an animaltherethrough, said frame including an elongated element havingretainingmeans;

a door having an edge thereof to engage said elongated element, a firstconnecting means mounted upon said door and located between saidelongated element and said edge of said door, said first connectingmeans to cooperate with said retaining means to swingably mount saiddoor in both the fore and aft directions;

a border element to surround said door, said border element connected tosaid door to be movable along with said door in the aft direction, saidborder element being U-shaped having a first leg which is substantiallyparallel to a second leg which are connected together through aconnecting member, said door to be positioned between said legs, asecond connecting means mounted upon said border element and locatedbetween the free end of each of said legs and said elongated element,said second connecting means comprising at least one first protuberanceupon each said leg to cooperate with said retaining means to swingablymount said border element in the aft direction, upon said border elementbeing struck with excessive force, said second connecting means beingdesigned to disassociate from said retaining means thereby causingremoval of said border element from said frame.

2. Structure as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said elongated element having an upper elongated surface and a lowerelongated surface, said lower elongated surface located directlyadjacent said central opening, said retaining means includes anelongated opening within said lower surface, the width of said elongatedopening being slightly greater than thewidth of said door and saidborder elemer t.

3. Structure as defined in claim 2 wherein:

the cross-sectional configuration of said elongated element beingsubstantially cane shaped, said retaining means further including theinterior of the arcuate portion of said cane shaped element.

4. Pet door structure as defined within claim 3 wherein:

said second connecting means comprises a plurality of secondprotuberances, with said door located within said frame said secondprotuberances to be located in the interior of said arcuate portion ofsaid elongated element thereby preventing accidental dislodgement ofsaid door from said element.

5. Structure as defined within claim 4 wherein:

each of said first protuberances to cooperate interiorly of said arcuateportion of said elongated element thereby preventing dislodgement ofsaid border element from said frame during normal use, the size of eachsaid first protuberance being selected in view of the width of saidelongated opening in said lower surface of said elongated element tothereby permit said removal of said border element from said frame.

1. A pet door structure comprising: a frame having a central opening topermit passage of an animal therethrough, said frame including anelongated element having retaining means; a door having an edge thereofto engage said elongated element, a first connecting means mounted uponsaid door and located between said elongated element and said edge ofsaid door, said first connecting means to cooperate with said retainingmeans to swingably mount said door in both the fore and aft directions;a border element to surround said door, said border element connected tosaid door to be movable along with said door in the aft direction, saidborder element being U-shaped having a first leg which is substantiallyparallel to a second leg which are connected together through aconnecting member, said door to be positioned between said legs, asecond connecting means mounted upon said border element and locatedbetween the free end of each of said legs and said elongated element,said second connecting means comprising at least one first protuberanceupon each said leg to cooperate with said retaining means to swingablymount said border element in the aft direction, upon said border elementbeing struck with excessive force, said second connecting means beingdesigned to disassociate from said retaining means thereby causingremoval of said border element from said frame.
 2. Structure as definedin claim 1 wherein: said elongated element having an upper elongatedsurface and a lower elongated surface, said lower elongated surfacelocated directly adJacent said central opening, said retaining meansincludes an elongated opening within said lower surface, the width ofsaid elongated opening being slightly greater than the width of saiddoor and said border element.
 3. Structure as defined in claim 2wherein: the cross-sectional configuration of said elongated elementbeing substantially cane shaped, said retaining means further includingthe interior of the arcuate portion of said cane shaped element.
 4. Petdoor structure as defined within claim 3 wherein: said second connectingmeans comprises a plurality of second protuberances, with said doorlocated within said frame said second protuberances to be located in theinterior of said arcuate portion of said elongated element therebypreventing accidental dislodgement of said door from said element. 5.Structure as defined within claim 4 wherein: each of said firstprotuberances to cooperate interiorly of said arcuate portion of saidelongated element thereby preventing dislodgement of said border elementfrom said frame during normal use, the size of each said firstprotuberance being selected in view of the width of said elongatedopening in said lower surface of said elongated element to therebypermit said removal of said border element from said frame.